You've got to be mad to be a comedian, or have you?

Two of the best funnymen in Wales have reacted to the latest scientific study which claims that comedians have personality types linked with psychosis.
A study by Oxford University researchers suggests comedians score highly on characteristics that in extreme cases are associated with mental illness.
Unusually, they have high levels of both introversion and extroversion. The research team says the creative elements needed for humour are similar to traits seen in people with psychosis.
Ammanford-based comedian Phil Evans, above gave his reaction -
“Never underestimate the working comedian.
“It takes talent, commitment and a burning desire to stand in front of a room full of strangers, night after night.
“The need to win over the crowd is very powerful and often takes great skill. Having said that, why would you feel the need to do it in the first place?
“Some of the world’s most famous people had drive, determination and skills to move crowds and achieve great things. Talent put to good use.
“Comedians are different, they need to ‘be funny’ to survive. Being different is not a weakness in my book, but a strength.
“We were born to stand out and make a difference. Some of us work hard trying to do just that.”
Swansea comedian Ignacio Lopez, pictured top, said -
"Is this a scientist's idea of a joke?
“We might be exaggerated versions of ourselves onstage and can be anti-social but the success of a comedian is measured in hard work and laughs, not screws loose.
“The green room back stage isn't a padded cell. There can be anxiety, depression and neurosis but no more than any other work environment.
“The main difference is that your work is scrutinised by a room full of people every night and you start a new job every day.
“I've done my own study: Do scientists hate incorrectly calculated statistics? 7400% said Yes!"
Phil and Ignaccio’s next big event is a Love and Laughs event being held on St Dwynwen’s Day (7.30pm on Saturday, January 25) at the Pontaradwe Arts Centre.
The evening features Phil Evans (Gala Gomedi, S4C) alongside Daniel Glyn (Gwerthu Allan, S4C), Ignacio Lopez (Show Me The Funny, ITV), Ed Holden (BBC Radio Cymru Award Winner), Simon Emanuel (‘Welsh Unsigned Stand Up Award’ Winner), Eirlys Bellin (Jonathan, S4C) and Rob Hughes (WUSA finalist).
Tickets are £12 and you can book now at the Pontardawe Arts Centre, 01792 863722.

Weblinks – http://www.nptartsandents.com/en/event-11273 and http://www.philevans.co.uk/

Link to BBC story on Oxford University research –
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-25747068

Comedians have personality types linked with psychosis, like many other creative types, which might explain why they can entertain, researchers claim.
They score highly on characteristics that in extreme cases are associated with mental illness, a study by Oxford University researchers suggests.
Unusually, they have high levels of both introversion and extroversion.
The team says the creative elements needed for humour are similar to traits seen in people with psychosis.
The idea that creativity in art and science is connected with mental health problems has long captured the public imagination.
However, there has been little research on whether comedians have some of the traits - in a healthy form - associated with psychosis (delusions or hallucinations that can be present in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder).Unusually introverted
Researchers from the University of Oxford and Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust studied 523 comedians (404 men and 119 women) from the UK, US and Australia.
The comedians were asked to complete an online questionnaire designed to measure psychotic traits in healthy people.
The four aspects measured were:

• Unusual experiences (belief in telepathy and paranormal events)
• Cognitive disorganisation (distractibility and difficulty in focusing thoughts)
• Introvertive anhedonia (reduced ability to feel social and physical pleasure, including an avoidance of intimacy)
• Impulsive non-conformity (tendency towards impulsive, antisocial behaviour).

The questionnaire was also completed by 364 actors - another profession used to performing - as a control group, and by a group of 831 people who worked in non-creative areas.
The researchers found that comedians scored significantly higher on all four types of psychotic personality traits than the general group, with particularly high scores for both extroverted and introverted personality traits.
The actors scored higher than the general group on three types - but not on introverted the personality aspect.
The researchers believe this unusual personality structure may help explain the ability of comedians to entertain.